Nike City Cup crowns Skoom Boys

Over 3500 footballers take their game to the next level and enhance life skills at competitive tournament in Soweto

Bafana Bafana athletes Itumeleng Khune, Teko Modise and Siphiwe Tshabalala joined 16 team finalists of the Nike City Cup Tournament at the Football Training Center in Soweto today.  After 16 days of competitive games, Skoom Boys won the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Doornkop Stars.  Over 3,500 footballers between the ages of 16 and 19 years old competed in the seven-a-side tournament which aims to identify highly talented young players and increase awareness of life skills.

Twenty-four of the best players from the tournament will be selected to join an elite training program which prepares them for the opportunity to join an elite football academy. The academy, jointly created by the English Premier League and Nike, gives players from around the world the chance to develop their skills at a professional level.

In addition, each player of the winning team received a one year Nike hamper and a Cell-C starter pack and cellphone, as well as a replica trophy.

“We have hosted an extremely successful City Cup and discovered talented footballers from Gauteng,” says Eric Tinkler, former Bafana Bafana international midfielder and Nike City Cup Technical Director. “The tournament has given 3500 kids from the local community an opportunity to play competitive football in a world-class environment and also develop valuable life skills”.

The tournament kicked off on the 10th of June 2010, and saw 512 Gauteng-based football teams register to participate. The Center is part of Nike’s commitment to the communities of South Africa to give 20,000 young footballers a year the chance to develop their football talent while also having access to HIV/AIDS education through football life skills programming.

“Nike is definitely aiding player development in the country by exposing these youngsters to a higher level of football,” said Mzamo Masito, Brand Director, Nike South Africa. “Nike has supported the community in a phenomenal way, and their commitment to football in South Africa has been unbelievable.”

The 16 days of City Cup interspersed over a month, allowed for the footballers to be active during the local schools holidays.